Learn rocket science, robotics the fun way at summer camps

INNOVATIVE Clubs focus on making scientific concepts easier for children through workshops

If your child doesn’t want to sweat it out this summer with physical activities, science comes to the rescue. Various science clubs and organisations are hosting a variety of camps for children.

For those fascinated with the astronomy, a one-day workshop ‘Young Astronauts’ by Hands on Learning in Nerul on April 30 is a must. The workshop is for children between six and nine years.

“In most schools, science is taught in way that children end up rote learning concepts without understanding them,” said Pooja Dwivedi, organiser of the event.

“During the workshop, we will take the children through an imaginary journey through the solar system with the help of experiments, hands-on games and animated videos. We also have a Science Magic workshop coming up in May,” she added.

NASA-certified organisation Mad Science is conducting a workshop at Vashi by from May 2 to 22 for children between the ages eight and 13. The two-week long programme will include sessions on solar system, atmosphere and beyond, space technology and rocket science among others.

“The workshop includes project session displays at the end. Each participant will be given a certificate of achievement from NASA,” said Bhavya Manepalli, co-organiser of the event.

While UK Kids in Vashi is organising two science camps with the title Science Utsav. The first camp, called ‘Kiddo Scientist’, from April 11 to 15 is meant for children in the age group of four to eight years.

Children will learn a host of things including LED Kaleidoscope, magnets, chemistry and missile launchers. The second camp is called ‘Eureka Inventors Science Camp’ for children from nine to 12 years from May 9 to 20. Children will be taught to build a table fan and frictionless car.

“Through Science Utsav, we are aiming to make the children learn scientific concepts in a fun way,” said Nazia Sayyeed, organiser of the camps.

Another such camp to look forward to is a series of workshops by Tech Shiksha Science Club which will hold four workshops on April 10, 17 and 24 and May 1, each for a different age group. From robotics to hacking and programming, children will learn practical usage of science.

Amit Modi, founder of Tech Shiksha Science Club, said, “We have started our labs in Nerul and Panvel now apart from the existing ones in Vashi and Kharghar. The workshops will be held at all the centres. The science and robotics club is for young inventors who want to learn fundamentals of science. The electronics club is for beginners who want to develop an aptitude in electronics and the Arduino club is for people who are more passionate about electronics.”

Navi Mumbai Science Foundation (NMSF) will also conduct its annual workshop for Homi Bhabha Young Scientists Award Examination on 16 consecutive Sundays starting May 8. Scientists from BARC and Homi Bhabha Centre for Education will be teaching science to children in a non-textual manner. NMSF will also hold demonstration sessions of experiments at schools and housing societies.

“The idea behind our sessions is to make science interesting for students,” said AM Bhagawat, chairman of NMSF.